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Frank Smith

Tight Ends

Biography

Frank Smith enters his second season as tight ends coach with the Silver and Black, bringing with him 15 years of coaching experience, including nine in the NFL.

During his first season in Oakland, Smith helped TE Jared Cook to his first Pro Bowl selection after career highs in receiving yards (896), receptions (68) and touchdowns (six). Cook had four 100-yard receiving contests, including a 180-yard performance in Week 1 to set the franchise's single-game mark by a tight end, and his six touchdowns were tied for fourth-most in the NFL. Cook finished the season ranked fourth among tight ends in receiving yards, and his 15 receptions of at least 20 yards ranked third among his position. Additionally, Smith's unit accounted for 10 of the team's 19 receiving touchdowns, with TEs Lee Smith and Derek Carrier having productive campaigns as both players scored their first touchdowns since the 2015 season. Lee finished with 10 receptions for 73 yards and a career-high three touchdowns. Carrier appeared in all 16 games for the first time in his career and finished with seven receptions for 67 yards and one game-winning touchdown.

Prior to Oakland, Smith spent the previous three seasons as tight ends coach with the Chicago Bears (2015-17). During Smith's tenure, TE Zach Miller recorded 1,161 yards on 101 receptions with 11 touchdowns, tied for 13th in the NFL among tight ends during that span, despite only playing in 33 games because of injuries.

In 2017, Smith helped mentor rookie TE Adam Shaheen, who appeared in 13 games and finished tied for second on the team with three touchdowns. Miller led all tight ends with 20 receptions for 236 yards, despite only playing in eight games, and TE Dion Sims finished with 15 receptions for 180 yards. In 2016, Miller set career highs in receptions (47) and receiving yards (486), and his four touchdowns were good for 12th in the NFL among tight ends that season.

During his first season with the Bears, Smith guided the veteran pair of TEs Martellus Bennett and Miller to a successful campaign, as the duo finished tied for third on the team in receiving yards (439). Bennett finished second on the team with 53 receptions, and Miller finished with a career-high five receiving touchdowns.

Prior to joining the Bears, Smith spent five seasons with the New Orleans Saints (2010-14) as an offensive assistant. Smith worked closely with an offensive line that allowed only 143 sacks, third fewest in the NFL during that span, and had four members selected to the Pro Bowl (T Jermon Bushrod, G Jahri Evans, G Ben Grubbs and G Carl Nicks).

Before entering the NFL ranks, Smith spent six years at the collegiate level as the offensive coordinator/offensive line coach at Butler University from 2007-09, after joining the university as the offensive line coach in 2006. Smith helped the Bulldogs improve from a 4-7 record in 2007 to a 11-1 record in 2009.

Smith came to Butler University from his alma mater, Miami (Ohio) University, where worked on the coaching staff as a graduate assistant from 2004-05.

PERSONAL: Native of Milwaukee, Wis. ...Was a three-year starter and senior captain along the offensive line at Miami (Ohio) from 2000-03, blocking for QB Ben Roethlisberger...Graduated from Miami (Ohio) in 2004.

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